A Junior VC (AJVC), founded by Aviral Bhatnagar, has successfully closed its first Rs 100 crore fund, dedicated to supporting early-stage startups in India. The fund aims to provide crucial capital to pre-seed startups across emerging sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), software-as-a-service (SaaS), and consumer technology.
Bhatnagar, previously an investor at early-stage investment firm Venture Highway, departed from the firm shortly before its acquisition by Silicon Valley-based General Catalyst in June 2024. Now, with AJVC’s new fund, he is set to make a significant impact on India’s startup ecosystem.
AJVC plans to invest in 12-15 pre-seed startups annually, offering Rs 1.5 crore in funding for a 9% equity stake. The fund is primarily backed by domestic capital, with contributions from Indian family offices, founders of Indian tech unicorns, and senior executives from leading investment firms who serve as limited partners.
So far, AJVC has already backed nine pre-seed stage startups across diverse sectors such as AI, B2B, consumer brands, and consumer technology. Notably, some of these startups are based in regions like Assam and Jharkhand, highlighting AJVC’s commitment to fostering innovation beyond traditional metropolitan hubs.
By providing early capital and strategic support, AJVC aims to play a pivotal role in nurturing India’s next generation of disruptive startups.
